Constitution


 * Mission Statement**


 * The mission of the AATG is based on the belief that bringing the language, literatures and cultures of the German-speaking world to all Americans is a vital humanistic endeavor which serves an essential national interest. It's the only national individual membership organization dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the language, literature, and culture of the German-speaking countries.

With over 6,500 members, the AATG is for teachers of German at all levels of instruction and all those interested in the teaching of German. ||

 CONSTITUTION  CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF GERMAN  // amended January 15, 2010 // The name of the chapter shall be the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German. In line with the Mission Statement of the National AATG organization, the Central PA chapter is “dedicated to the advancement of the language, literature, and culture of the German-speaking countries.” The purpose of the chapter is to promote and improve the teaching of German in Central Pennsylvania, and to encourage among its members a spirit of good fellowship and cooperation. III. Membership A. Any teacher of German, any graduate or undergraduate student, or anyone interested in the teaching of German may become a member of the chapter and of  the National Association upon payment of annual dues as defined by the by-laws of the National Association. B. A member must renew his/ her membership annually. All chapter members must join the National Association first.
 * 1)  Name
 * 1)  Purpose

C. The annual dues, which shall include a subscription to the // GERMAN // // QUARTERLY // or // DIE UNTERRICHTSPRAXIS //, shall be payable in September of the membership year for which they are intended. No member in default shall be qualified to exercise any privilege of membership. D. Honorary membership in the AATG may be granted only in accordance with the stipulations in the national constitution. Honorary members shall be qualified to exercise any privilege of membership. E. The chapter may admit associate members subject to the constitution and by- laws of the national association.

IV. Officers and Elections A. The officers of the chapter shall be a president, a vice president, secretary- treasurer, and testing chair. B. Candidates for president shall be chosen alternately from the elementary/ secondary school level and the college/university level. C. These officers shall be elected at the spring meeting on the basis of nominations made by a nominating committee and/or from the floor. D. The president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and testing chair shall be elected for two year terms. E. Votes will be taken by secret ballot. F. The president shall be the official representative of the chapter at national meetings of the AATG. The president shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and of the executive council. The president shall also compose and send chapter reports to AATG national headquarters. G. The vice-president shall assist the president as requested and assume the president’s duties in his/her absence. The vice-president is president-elect and shall become president at the end of his/her term of office. H. The secretary shall keep minutes of meetings of the executive council and of the chapter, shall mail meeting minutes to the AATG national headquarters. I. The treasurer shall be in charge of all chapter financial transactions and shall report at each chapter meeting on the financial status of the Chapter. J. The testing chair shall be the chief administrator and area coordinator of the National AATG Testing Program for High School Students and shall direct the local AATG Awards Program. The testing chair may appoint additional members to assist him/her in his/her duties.

V. Administration The executive council, which shall consist of the officers provided for in Section IV and two additional members elected in alternate years for two-year terms, shall direct the administration of the chapter. The two additional members are a high school representative and college representative. The outgoing president of the chapter shall be a member of the executive council for one year following the conclusion of his/her term of office. VI. Meetings

A. The chapter shall hold two meetings a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. B. The executive council, in a special scheduling and planning meeting, determine the time, place, date, and program content. C. The members present at any session shall constitute a quorum.

VII. Committees

The president shall be authorized to select working committees within the chapter. These include a nominating committee, a membership committee, a  liaison committee (for maintaining contact with other chapters or similarly   interested organizations), and any other committees deemed essential to the efficient functioning of the chapter. VIII. Changes in the Constitution A. The constitution of the chapter may be amended by a two-thirds vote at either one of the two yearly meetings. B. Such amendment(s) may be proposed by the executive councilor by written notice sent to the executive council by at least three members of the chapter three months in advance of anyone of the two yearly meetings at which action is to be  taken. C. The secretary shall submit such proposed amendments to the membership at  least a month prior to the time of final action and the report of the executive committee thereon. __ BY-LAWS __ 1. __Nomination of Officers__: At least three months prior to the spring meeting, the president of the chapter shall appoint a committee of three to present nominations for the offices which will become vacant at the spring meeting. These nominations shall be forwarded to the secretary prior to the above mentioned meeting. Additional nominations may also be made from the floor.

2. __Meetings of the Executive Council__: There shall be a meeting of the executive council held prior to each of the two yearly meetings to consider the various activities of the chapter. Special meetings may be held at the request of the president or three members of the executive council.